What the Bible says
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”
John 14:1 (KJV)
“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?”
John 14:5 (KJV)
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 14:6 (KJV)
The night before the cross
Jesus had just told his disciples he was going away, that Peter would deny him, and that he was going to prepare a place for them in his Father's house. 'Whither I go ye know, and the way ye know,' he said. Thomas, honest as ever, said what they were all thinking: we don't.
Not a route but a Person
Jesus did not hand Thomas instructions. He said, I am the way. The way to God is not a set of steps we have to work out alone. It is a relationship with the One who walks it with us. You can be unsure of almost everything and still be on the right road, as long as you are holding on to him.
For anyone who feels lost
The chapter begins with comfort: let not your heart be troubled. If you do not know what comes next, you are in good company with Thomas. You do not need to know the whole way. You need to know him.
Common questions
What does 'I am the way, the truth, and the life' mean?
Jesus teaches that he himself is the path to God, the true revelation of God and the source of eternal life — and that no one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6).
Who asked Jesus 'how can we know the way'?
Thomas, in John 14:5, the night before the crucifixion.